Sat, May 5, 2018

Race #2 - Stewards inquiry and Jockey objection by the 6^th place finisher #10 Joe’s Smokin Gun (Trevor McCarthy) against the 4^th place finisher #5 Grand Valour  (Jose Batista) and the winner #9 Hokulea (Tyler Gaffalione) for alleged interference at the 1/8 pole. While in crowded conditions #5 Grand Valour comes out making multiple contact with #10 Joe’s Smokin Gun causing that horse to take up sharply. After viewing all available video and speaking to the riders involved it was the determination of the stewards that the incident altered the order of finish and #5 Grand Valour was demoted as the rider rode in a careless manner from 4^th position and placed 6^th. The official order of finish 9.2.4.7

With regard to interference, New York is a “Category 2” state, meaning that Commission rules provide that if the interferer is guilty of causing interference and such interference in the judgment of the Stewards has altered the finish of the race, then the interferer is placed behind the offended horse.

The Stewards consider whether the riders of the horse or horses that are offended continue to give effort to the finish of the race.

The Stewards also consider whether the offending jockey acted in a willful or careless manner while interfering with another horse or jockey, for which the interferer may be disqualified, i.e., placed last or unplaced in the order of finish. For example, if an offending jockey acts in a dangerous manner, exhibits extremely improper riding or impedes several horses, the Stewards may disqualify the offending horse without regard to the specific effect of the foul on the order of finish.

For more information, see Commission rule 4035.2 (“Riding foul penalized

For more information, see Commission rule 4035.2 (“Riding foul penalized